Right now several people I know are doing a group cleanse. They are all using a product in conjunction with healthy eating to help them rid their bodies of unwanted toxins and bloating. The cleanse or detox lasts seven days and really makes the person commit to eating only fruits and vegetables, consuming little fat or caffeine and avoiding alcohol. The attraction is to lose weight, of course. Everyone is reporting significant weight loss, improved energy, and a new respect for the effect processed foods have on them. The challenge for many though is continuing to lose the weight and reach optimal body weight. Many even gain the weight right back. Why is this so?
Well, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone says, “I am doing a cleanse?” Most of us think immediately about the scenario I just described or drinking only juice from fruit and/or vegetables for a period of time to help lose weight. The meaning of the verb to cleanse is to free from dirt, defilement, sin or guilt; purge or clean; rid (a person, place, or thing) of something seen as unpleasant, or unwanted.
So what’s the point here? Well, the point is that many people are jumping on board with the cleanse fad, and are unable to maintain the weight loss because there are other areas in their lives that also need to be cleansed. It’s wonderful to begin by avoiding sugar and processed junk foods and eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and for some of us lean meat or fish, but what other areas in your life could stand to be cleansed?
Consider your work or career. The office is where most of us spend the majority of our time during the week. All of know that a stressful work environment can affect our physical and mental health. Cleansing your career doesn’t necessarily mean changing jobs, but it may mean de-cluttering and personalizing your space.
How are your relationships? All of us know that a tough break up can lead to an evening sitting on the couch and eating bon bons while watching TV or binge drinking. It’s obvious how some relationships affect our relationship with food, but we may not even realize how some other relationships affect us and our waistline. I joke that I lost over 200 pounds, 180 of it belongs to my ex-husband. Another woman I know had a difficult relationship with her mother. Once she came to terms with it, the twenty pounds she had been trying to lose for years simply melted away. So think of people that love and support you. Reconnect with them and enjoy how amazing this feels. It’s guaranteed that maintaining good relationships will have a positive effect on you and fulfill your body in ways that sugary treats don’t even come close.
How much rest do you get? Eating healthy can absolutely improve your energy, but how about just getting more quality sleep. Many of us have days filled with stimulus from electronics. How many hours a day do you spend on social media, surfing the internet, or flipping through television channels before bed? Consider shutting off electronic devices and give yourself more hours of sleep. The benefits of quality sleep not only include improved mood, but when our bodies are allowed to rest and rejuvenate this helps decrease stress. When we are less stressed we are also more likely to consume natural and healthy foods rather than junk foods.
Now what comes to mind when you hear the word “cleanse”?
Dr. Heidi
Drheidiburry.com
Well, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone says, “I am doing a cleanse?” Most of us think immediately about the scenario I just described or drinking only juice from fruit and/or vegetables for a period of time to help lose weight. The meaning of the verb to cleanse is to free from dirt, defilement, sin or guilt; purge or clean; rid (a person, place, or thing) of something seen as unpleasant, or unwanted.
So what’s the point here? Well, the point is that many people are jumping on board with the cleanse fad, and are unable to maintain the weight loss because there are other areas in their lives that also need to be cleansed. It’s wonderful to begin by avoiding sugar and processed junk foods and eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and for some of us lean meat or fish, but what other areas in your life could stand to be cleansed?
Consider your work or career. The office is where most of us spend the majority of our time during the week. All of know that a stressful work environment can affect our physical and mental health. Cleansing your career doesn’t necessarily mean changing jobs, but it may mean de-cluttering and personalizing your space.
How are your relationships? All of us know that a tough break up can lead to an evening sitting on the couch and eating bon bons while watching TV or binge drinking. It’s obvious how some relationships affect our relationship with food, but we may not even realize how some other relationships affect us and our waistline. I joke that I lost over 200 pounds, 180 of it belongs to my ex-husband. Another woman I know had a difficult relationship with her mother. Once she came to terms with it, the twenty pounds she had been trying to lose for years simply melted away. So think of people that love and support you. Reconnect with them and enjoy how amazing this feels. It’s guaranteed that maintaining good relationships will have a positive effect on you and fulfill your body in ways that sugary treats don’t even come close.
How much rest do you get? Eating healthy can absolutely improve your energy, but how about just getting more quality sleep. Many of us have days filled with stimulus from electronics. How many hours a day do you spend on social media, surfing the internet, or flipping through television channels before bed? Consider shutting off electronic devices and give yourself more hours of sleep. The benefits of quality sleep not only include improved mood, but when our bodies are allowed to rest and rejuvenate this helps decrease stress. When we are less stressed we are also more likely to consume natural and healthy foods rather than junk foods.
Now what comes to mind when you hear the word “cleanse”?
Dr. Heidi
Drheidiburry.com